Janet (Jan) Louise Corneilson, 71, passed on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 in Hardin County, KY, after a brief battle with cancer.

Jan was born in 1954 in Taylorsville, Illinois, to Donald M. Johnson and Martha Tym Johnson (both deceased); her family moved to California where Jan graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1972.  She went on to graduate from Fresno State University, earned her teaching degree, and began teaching.

She taught high school English in the San Marcos Unified School District for 25 years, teaching at both San Marcos and Mission Hills High Schools. Jan was a dedicated and active teacher with high classroom standards and prominently displayed Bears, Bulls, and Cubs paraphernalia. She implemented several programs, including “Salute to Veterans”. She also coordinated with the history department to create cross-discipline content.  Her dedication allowed her to form close bonds with her students, some continuing until her death.

After retiring, Jan returned to her mid-west roots and moved to Elizabethtown, Kentucky, with her husband.  She enjoyed a quiet country life, tending her butterfly garden, hummingbird feeder, and taking care of her pet dogs and rescue horses.  Jan is survived by her husband of 33 years, Philip Corneilson, Jr., of Elizabethtown, and her brother, Stephen Johnson of Vista, California.

In accordance with her wishes, there will be no viewing, service or memorial.

In lieu of any gifts or plantings, contributions to your local public library, or to the San Marcos Educators Association, especially for the John Morello Memorial Scholarship Fund for students, would be appreciated. Please visit sanmarcosteachers.org.